A Moscow court has returned the case against Alexander Lebedev to the prosecutor’s office, citing documentation irregularities.

Mr Lebedev, whose son Evgeny owns The Independent, has been accused of hooliganism motivated by political hatred after punching a businessman, Sergei Polonsky, during a talk show. He could be jailed for up to five years.

Before the hearing Mr Lebedev said: “It is made up from start to finish.”